6. Operation: Front Panel

The standard DBx Module Add-On front panel provides local control and display of the product’s various parameters and settings. fig-front-panel-dbx provides an overview of the standard front panel. A numbered list corresponding to the indicators on the front panels is located below the front panel figures.

_images/frontpanel_dbx_labeled.svg

Fig. 6.1 Standard DBx Module Add-On front panel overview

  1. Start Button: Enables the DC input bus
    Stop Button: Disables the DC input bus

  2. Voltage and current measurement display

  3. 4-line character display featuring a menu system, operating status and modes, product messages with diagnostic codes, and power measurement display

  4. Control power switch, energizes the control circuits without engaging DC bus

  5. LED indicator that the DC input is enabled

  6. Full control (host) front panel USB port

  7. Aluminium digital encoder knob for programming set-points

  8. LED indicator of the DBx Module’s present regulation state, which can include: constant voltage (CV), constant current (CC), or constant power (CP)

  9. Selector buttons to choose which set-point the digital encoder knob and digital keypad buttons will modify.

  10. Menu Button: Enters the menu system on the 4-line display
    Back Button: Moves back one level in the menu
    Enter Button: Selects the highlighted menu item
    Clear Button: Removes the product from a faulted state
    Lock Button: Locks the front panel, with password protection available

6.1. Set Point Adjustment

The DBx Module Add-On’s set points define the regulation limits. To view the programmed set points, press and release the black digital encoder knob. The set points that can be programmed are in bold, while the unavailable set points are muted. The available set points will vary depending on the configured control mode.

The illuminated Voltage, Current, and Power set point buttons on the front panel correlate to the set point that will be adjusted by the user’s input. Pushing one of these set point buttons will change set point to be adjusted, if that set point is available within the selected control mode.

There are three methods of adjusting the set point from the front panel: digital encoder knob, keypad, and arrow keys.

The black aluminum digital encoder knob increases the set point when turned clockwise and decreases the set point when turned counterclockwise. Turning the knob faster will increase the set point adjustment rate. The selected set point is adjusted on-the-fly when the knob is turned, whether viewing the output measurements or whether viewing the set points.

The 12-digit keypad allows a specific number to be entered in. The number entered will not take effect until either the Enter (ENT) button is pressed. Pressing a number will automatically change the display to view all set points.

When pressed once and released, the arrow-up and arrow-down buttons adjust the set point by the lowest available bit. By pressing and holding these button, a larger set point adjustments will be made. The selected set point is adjusted on-the-fly when the arrow key is pressed, whether viewing the output measurements or whether viewing the set points.

6.1.1. Set Point Source

Set points that control the DBx Module can come from by multiple sources. Set Point Source selects set points from these sources and routes them as inputs into the digital controller. When a particular source is selected, set points from all other sources are ignored.

By default, the source is set to local, where set points originate from the front panel keypad, knob, or communication interfaces. When the source is set to function generator , current set point is generated internally, by a periodic function generator block, whose value are defined according to the parameters in Function Generator. When external analog input is selected, the voltage applied to the rear connector, as described in Analog Inputs, are converted into set points.

6.2. Auxiliary Display

The DBx Module Add-On’s standard front panel features an auxiliary 4-line character display used for two distinct views: the product’s operating status and a multi-level menu system, used for configuring various products settings.

6.2.1. Operating Status Display

The default display on the auxiliary display provides information about the DBx Module Add-On’s present operating conditions, as follows:

Status

The product’s present operating status.

Mode

The product’s presently selected control mode and active computer programming interface.

Message (MSG)

A detailed description of the product’s present status including steps listed to resolve a fault.

Power (P)

The measured power being dissipated in the DBx Module Add-On through its DC input terminals.